Hope for peace in Afghanistan

True, there is no guarantee the just-inked agreement between the United States and the Taliban will come into fruition without additional drama.

Given the complex domestic political discord in Afghanistan, between the Taliban and the government as well as within the Taliban itself, every suspicion may find a degree of support.

Since the agreement is essentially a road map for a fairly long process, any optimism like this single document bringing "flowers and roses and doves overnight" may prove unrealistic; there has been no lack of twists and turns regarding talk of peace in the war-torn country.

US State Secretary Mike Pompeo was correct in putting it as "a hopeful moment", but "only the beginning". There is plenty of hard work ahead, but certainly not just "on the diplomatic front". The political process inside Afghanistan may present more harsher challenges.

Still, nothing can diminish the historic significance of "The Agreement on Bringing Peace to Afghanistan", a hallmark of shared commitment to a "permanent and comprehensive ceasefire", a promising initial step toward lasting peace in the country that has long been ravaged by war. It could well be the best possible outcome in any attempt to maneuver a peaceful end to the current mess, as well as the external intervention in the country and foreign military presence on Afghan soil.

All stakeholders should cherish the unprecedented potential all-win opportunities it brings, and build on the momentum for peace, so that it takes root in Afghanistan.

Should the promises, from US troop withdrawals to the Taliban preventing "any group or individual, including al-Qaida" from threatening the United States and its allies to the Taliban and Afghan government beginning negotiations, be faithfully kept, Washington surely will win big. For the US president, in particular, bringing US troops home means another key campaign promise honored, which no doubt will lend credit to his ongoing campaign for reelection.

And the Afghan people and government will benefit tremendously if the agreement can be carried out to the letter, especially if negotiations with the Taliban produce meaningful consensus, and pave the way for national reconciliation. It is time the protracted war, which has lasted over 18 years and claimed numerous lives, stopped.

The Taliban, too, has an invaluable opportunity. Honoring its promises, forsaking violence and playing a constructive role in peace-building, and then nation-building in Afghanistan would be conducive to rebuilding its international image, which will in turn legitimize its normal representation in the political architecture of post-war Afghanistan.

With both the Afghan government and the Taliban indicating readiness for the negotiations scheduled to start on March 10, hopefully both display the sincerity, patience, and flexibility needed for meaningful progress to be made.